OHIO: Kylie* was removed from her adoptive family and taken into foster care. Because of her location, the Dave Thomas Foundation provided Kylie with a Wendy’s Wonderful Kids Family Recruiter.
When they first met, Kylie’s WWK recruiter did not know much about her biological family because the only available files came from the adoption finalization. In an effort to identify a permanent family and support network, this thoughtful recruiter built a family tree, which started with the only information she had available: the names of Kylie’s biological mother and father.
That was all the information needed for the Connect Our Kids People Search tool. Once the recruiter entered Kylie’s parents’ names, 23 connections were found, including a cousin on Kylie’s father’s side who was willing to provide a great deal of critical information about her family.
The WWK recruiter is now building out Kylie’s family tree in our Family Connections tool, so that Kylie can visually see her family, and know that there are many people in her network who care about her. Wendy’s Wonderful Kids recruiters are…well, wonderful!
Knowing family history can help begin the healing of trauma.
Wendy’s Wonderful Kids is a signature program at the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. The Foundation is the only national nonprofit, public charity focused solely on foster care adoption. Through the Wendy’s Wonderful Kids program, the Foundation provides funding to private and public adoption agencies to support the hiring of adoption professionals. These adoption recruiters focus on teens, siblings and children with special needs. A rigorous, five-year study showed that the Foundation’s child-focused recruitment method is up to three times more effective in finding a forever family for the children it serves. We are honored that 56 WWK adoption recruiters are using our technology tools in Ohio and can’t wait to see what 2021 brings as they continue to grow their outstanding program.
Connect Our Kids is a non-profit dedicated to leveraging technology to find families, build connections, and create a community for children in the foster care system. Want to help more children like Kylie? You can today by donating HERE.
*Name has been changed to protect privacy.
